AURORA | A look ahead at some of the key games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports from Sept. 14-20, 2017:
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
• A great slate of boys soccer is set for Sept. 14 as eight Aurora teams take the pitch. Among the highlights, Gateway plays host to Hinkley at 4:30 p.m. in a battle of EMAC teams off to a strong start, while Eaglecrest pays a 6 p.m. visit to the NAAC in Golden to face Arvada West and Regis Jesuit is home to Cherry Creek at 7 p.m.
• Gateway opens Week 3 of the prep football season Sept. 14 in the only game of the night involving Aurora teams. The Olys (1-1) welcome Ponderosa (2-0) to APS Stadium at 6:30 p.m. looking to average a 47-0 loss from last season.
• Friday Night Lights arrive Sept. 15 with 10 teams in action and four games featuring all-Aurora matchups. The biggie is at 7 p.m. at Legacy Stadium when the only two remaining undefeated local teams — Grandview and Eaglecrest — square off in a battle of 5A powers. In other intracity action, Smoky Hill plays Aurora Central at 6:30 p.m. at APS Stadium, Cherokee Trail visits Stutler Bowl to play Overland at 7 p.m. and Rangeview travels to Regis Jesuit at 7 p.m.
• The Eaglecrest Invitational volleyball tournament runs Sept. 15-16 with a good multi-classification mix set to compete with the host Raptors. Eaglecrest is the lone local team team in the field.
• Softball league play picks up Sept. 16 with a large slate that includes seven Aurora teams in action. Rising Cherokee Trail pays a visit to Cherry Creek’s new field at Village Green Park at 9 a.m., while Smoky Hill plays at Grandview at 10 a.m. in another quality Centennial League offering. In a matchup of EMAC teams playing well, Rangeview welcomes Northglenn at 11 a.m.
• The Cherry Creek Invitational boys tennis tournament is Sept. 16 featuring a talented field of teams that includes Regis Jesuit, which comes in off a win at the Western Slope Open in Grand Junction. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 singles all play at Cherry Creek High School beginning at 8 a.m., while Nos. 1 and 2 doubles play the first two rounds at Regis Jesuit, No. 3 doubles play the first two rounds at Village Club and No. 4 doubles play the first two rounds at West Middle School. All finals take place at Cherry Creek.
• The fast-moving boys golf season enters postseason play Sept. 18 with a variety of Class 5A and 4A regionals that will includes Aurora teams. Final league standings determine where each 5A team will play, while Vista PEAK heads to Pueblo for 4A Region 1 at Elmwood G.C. Two teams and a number of individuals advance out of regionals to state tournaments.
• Volleyballs will be flying all over Sept. 19 as 10 Aurora teams take the floor, including six at home. Eaglecrest visits Cherry Creek at 6:45 p.m. as Centennial League play picks up, while several other teams have non-league matchups.
